With nearly 85 percent of incoming students receiving scholarships, the University of St. Thomas is fortunate to have donors contribute to the success of students. One such foundation is the Scanlan Foundation, which has donated more than $7.8 million in lifetime giving.

The foundation has provided tuition assistance to UST students since before computer systems were used to track their donations.

This year, the foundation has contributed another $150,000 – $100,000 of which will go directly to tuition assistance, while the other $50,000 will go to Campus Ministry.

“The Scanlan Foundation’s contributions to our scholarship fund are a remarkable blessing to UST students and their families,” said Dr. Robert Ivany, University of St. Thomas president. “We are deeply grateful for this recent gift and for the foundation’s generous, steadfast support over the years.”

Founded in 1947 by sisters Lillian and Stella Scanlan, the Scanlan Foundation, under the guidance of the Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese, contributes to the support of religious, charitable and educational institutions and works within the State of Texas.

The Rev. Michael Buentello, the University’s chaplain, said the $50,000 gift couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I was very happy because it allows us to do more programming and get the supplies we need for campus ministry,” Buentello said. “We had 73 students sign up for our spring retreat, and with more people, the cost goes up immensely because of housing and buses. We couldn’t have done it without their donation.”

Campus Ministry will continue to use the funds to supplement their operations costs, providing extra funding for retreats and outreach events.

“Like everyone else, we are facing rising costs in everything,” Buentello said. “This money is helping us maintain and grow Catholic events on campus. For example, Theology of the Body is a large group on campus, and this money helped with getting them books and other supplies that they need.”

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.